STOBI, THE CAPITAL CITY OF MACEDONIA SECUNDA EXCAVATION PROJECT: REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
STOBI, THE CAPITAL CITY OF MACEDONIA SECUNDA
EXCAVATION PROJECT: REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Course ID: ARCH 365P
June 22 –July 20, 2019
DIRECTORS:
Dr. Silvana Blazhevska – Archaeologist at National Institution Stobi, Macedonia
(silvana.blazevska@gmail.com)
Dr. George A. Bevan - Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Planning, Queen's
University, Canada (bevan@queensu.ca)
PROJECT COORDINATOR:
Dr. Angela Pencheva – Visiting professor at the Department of Archaeology and Center for
Vocational and Continuing Education, New Bulgarian University, Sofia; Balkan Heritage Program
Director (angelapbh@gmail.com)
INTRODUCTION
The first historic records to mention Stobi were written by the Roman historian Titus Livy (ca. 197
BCE). According to Livy, Stobi became an important center for salt trading after the Roman conquest
of Macedonia. During the Pax Romana, the city became major urban center in the north part of the
roman province Macedonia. Stobi had the rank of municipium which is witnessed the earliest on
coins of emperor Vespasian, minted in 69 AD as the first series of the mint at Stobi. The strategic
location at the crossroad of the ancient roads that ran along the two rivers Axios and Erigon were
the main precondition for the urban and demographic growth. The first road connected the North
and South of the Balkans as it does today, while the second to the southwest connected Stobi with
the Via Egnatia near Heraclea Lyncestis and to the northeast continued to Serdica.
This commercial and strategic position brought Stobi long-term prosperity, especially in the period
between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE. Several monumental buildings in the city are dated to this
period: the Theater, the first City Wall, Porta Heraclea, the Public Building with Arches (probably the
Stobi library), the Casa Romana, the Synagogue, as well as the water supply system. In 267 CE, the
1|P a g ecity suffered from raids conducted by the Goths and Herules. At the end of the 3rd century, Stobi was
devastated by an earthquake; it was later rebuilt but following a different urban plan. Most of the
ruins visible today belong to buildings dating to this period.
In the 4th century CE, Stobi became an important Christian center and the seat of powerful bishops.
Late, in the 5th-6th centuries, Stobi was the capital city of the Roman province Macedonia Secunda,
but suffered from the raids of Huns, Ostrogoths, Avars and Slavs. The constant threat of barbarian
raids as well as certain climatic changes lead to the gradual abandonment of the city in the second
half of the 6th century CE. Some records mention a small Slav community that settled and lived there
in later centuries. The last historical reference regarding Stobi describes the victory of the Byzantine
troops over Stobi’s local militia during the 11th century CE.
HISTORY OF EXCAVATIONS
The first reported excavation at Stobi begun during World War I in 1914 and was led by the
archaeologist Hald. Later, in 1918, excavations were led by F. Krischen and a group of German
officers. Between 1923 and 1940, excavations were directed by Balduin Saria and R. Eger, Kj.
Truhelka, V. Petkovic, J. Petrovic, Dj. Mano-Zissi from the Belgrade National Museum. From 1955 to
1969, the Archaeological Museum of Skopje and the Agency for Protection of Monuments of Culture
(Macedonia) were in charge of further archaeological research. Between 1970 and 1980, excavations
were directed by Dj. Mano-Zissi and J. Wiseman from the Museum of Veles, Macedonia, and the
University of Texas at Austin and later Boston University, respectively. Rescue excavations in 1992-
95 were conducted by the Agency for Protection of Monuments of Culture (Macedonia). The
National Institution Stobi was founded in December 2008, and its large-scale excavations began in
2009. The aim was to systematically excavate the south end of Stobi. In 2010, the National
Institution Stobi was formed as an independent state institution and has since successfully finalized
numerous archaeological and conservation projects (for more information, see: www.stobi.mk).
The participants in the field school projects (2014-2018) excavated an area next to one of the most
representative, residential buildings in Stobi – the so called Theodosian Palace – located at the
center of the Roman town, between the streets of Via Principalis Inferior and Via Principalis
Superior. The building, which is richly decorated with mosaics, was given its name under the
assumption that the emperor Theodosius I was accommodated there during his visit to Stobi in 388
CE.
The excavations in the last four years brought to light a late antique building situated between the
Theodosian palace and an adjacent building, now called “the Jail” due to the discovery of shackled
skeletons in the 1920s. In 2019, the work will continue in the same area in an effort to investigate
the temporal and architectural relationships between the three buildings.
ACADEMIC CREDIT UNITS & TRANSCRIPTS
Credit Units: Attending students will be awarded 8 semester credit units (equivalent to 12 quarter
credit units) through our academic partner, Connecticut College. Connecticut College is a private,
highly ranked liberal arts institution with a deep commitment to undergraduate education. Students
will receive a letter grade for attending this field school (see grading assessment and matrix). This
field school provides a minimum of 160 direct instructional hours. Students are encouraged to
discuss the transferability of credit units with faculty and registrars at their home institution prior to
attending this field school.
Transcripts: An official copy of transcripts will be mailed to the permanent address listed by students
on their online application. One more transcript may be sent to the student home institution at no
cost. Additional transcripts may be ordered at any time through the National Student Clearinghouse:
http://bit.ly/2hvurkl.
2|P a g eCOURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To prepare students to perform basic excavation tasks: the use of tools, digging techniques,
sieving, scraping, etc.
2. To prepare students to perform basic field documentation tasks: the use of measuring and
documentation tools and devices, creating written (locus sheets, field journals, finds labels, etc.),
photo, and graphic documentation (drawing of stratigraphical situations, architectural
structures, contexts, etc.).
3. To introduce students to basic find processing procedures: cleaning, selecting and arranging
archaeological finds, field inventory, technical pottery drawing, the organization of finds storage,
etc.
4. To introduce students to contemporary 3D recording techniques, including Digital
Photogrammetry, Satellite Positioning and Total Station Surveying.
5. To introduce students to the range of materials and cultures of Stobi and the region in the
Roman and Late Roman period.
6. To introduce students to contemporary standards of work on an archaeological site.
7. To introduce students to health and safety requirements at an archaeological site.
DISCLAIMER – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Our primary concern is with education. Traveling and conducting field research involve risk. Students
interested in participating in IFR programs must weigh whether the potential risk is worth the value
of education provided. While risk is inherent in everything we do, we do not take risk lightly. The IFR
engages in intensive review of each field school location prior to approval. Once a program is
accepted, the IFR reviews each program annually to make sure it complies with all our standards and
policies, including student safety.
We do our best to follow schedule and activities as outlined in this syllabus. Yet local permitting
agencies, political, environmental, personal, or weather conditions may force changes. This syllabus,
therefore, is only a general commitment. Students should allow flexibility and adaptability as
research work is frequently subject to change.
Archaeological field work involves physical work outdoors. You should be aware that conditions in
the field are different from those you experience in your home, dorms or college town. Note that
South European (subtropical) climate dominates the region, making summers hot. Temperatures
may reach (30-400C/90-1000 F). Rainy and chilly days in this season are rare but not impossible.
Macedonia is a new country that used to be part of the former Yugoslavia. Its culture is unique and
different from that you experience in the West. Macedonia hospitality is exceptional and food is
central to many social interactions. Expect to learn much about people significantly different than
folks living next door to you in the US.
If you have any medical concerns, please consult with your doctor. For all other concerns, please
consult with the project director.
COURSE SCHEDULE
All IFR field schools begin with safety orientation. This orientation includes proper behavior at the
field area, proper clothing, local cultural sensitivities and sensibilities, potential fauna and flora
hazards, review of IFR harassment and discrimination policies, and review of the student Code of
Conduct.
The Field School schedule consists of four modules:
MODULE I - Theoretical module (approx. 30 hours). Consists of three components:
3|P a g e1. Lectures and instructions about field methods and practices.
2. Lectures addressing different aspects of the history and archaeology of Stobi.
3. Lectures exploring the history and archaeology of the Balkans, Macedonia and other local sites.
MODULE II – Practicum (approx. 160 hours). Consists of two components:
1. Field work, including the basic practices of excavation and archaeological recording.
2. Workshops dedicated to primary archaeological finds processing and documentation.
3. Workshops in 3-D Archaeological Recording Methods: In 2019, an additional module will be
added to the excavations at Stobi that will instruct students on the use of new three-
dimensional recording techniques. These techniques complement and amplify the traditional
hand-recording techniques that the students will also learn during the course of the excavations.
This new module will include instruction on basic geodesy, the setting up and operation of both
total stations and GPS/GLONASS receivers, and the fundamentals of technical photography,
including DSLR operation, lens selection and proper exposure. The core of the module will
consist of workshops on digital photogrammetry -- a technique that uses overlapping photos to
created dense 3-D models -- in order to record the excavations and selected finds. The students
will learn to plan and execute photogrammetric recording in the field, to process the resulting
imagery in software, and to produce accurate drawings from the 3D data. This module is
available for course credit through Queen's University. Students interested in receiving Queen's
credit should contact the head instructor of this module, George Bevan (Associate Professor,
Geography and Planning).
MODULE III - Excursions accompanied by lectures, presentations and behind-the-scenes visits to
sites of historical/archaeological significance, such as the town of Bitola (Archaeological Museum),
the site of Heraclea Lyncestis, the town of Ohrid (the Ancient Lychnidos, UNESCO World Heritage
Site), and the city of Skopje (National Archaeological Museum of Skopje, the Museum of
Numismatics) in Macedonia, and Pella and Vergina in Greece.
MODULE IV – Homework (est. 10 hours) will be assigned to all students. Homework will consist of
editing and processing students' field journals, context sheets, drawings, and photos and preparing
in presentations and reports.
Program Schedule
Date Morning Afternoon
Day 1 - Meeting students at the airport. Transfer to Stobi.
- Traditional Macedonian welcome dinner.
Day 2 Orientation. Presentation of Lecture: Introduction to the history of Macedonia (from
National Institution Stobi, Balkan Hellenistic to Late Roman Period)
Heritage Foundation – Institute for Lecture: History and Archaeology of Stobi
Field Research Joint Program, the Lecture: Introduction in the excavation area and
Field School agenda and goals, the methodology of fieldwork
team and participants, some Stobi Sightseeing
practicalities.
Day 3 Field work Lecture: From the Field to Storage – review of basic
methods for uncovering, “first aid”, consolidation in situ,
cleaning, sorting out, labeling, documenting and storing
of ceramic artifacts
Workshop: Archaeological finds and field documentation
processing
Day 4 Field work Lecture: Total Station and GNSS Surveying; Ground
Control Set-up.
Workshop: Total Station and GNSS Surveying and
Ground Control Set-up
4|P a g eDay 5 Field work Lecture: Typology of Roman and Late Roman Pottery
(Based on Examples from Stobi)
Workshop: Archaeological finds and field documentation
processing
Day 6 Field work Lecture: Archaeological Photography and Principles of
Digital Photogrammetry; Mapping in 3DM Analyst
Workshop: Digital Photogrammetry of Excavations and
Total Station Operation; Mapping in 3DM Analys
Day 7 Field work Workshop: Pottery Drawing, Part I (in groups)
Day 8 Excursion: Guided visit to Bitola and the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis
Day 9 Excursion: Guided visit to Ohrid: Ancient Lychnidos (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Day 10 Field work Workshop: Introduction to Surveying: Total Station
Day 11 Field work Workshop: Introduction to Surveying: GNSS
Day 12 Field work Workshop: Pottery Drawing, Part II
Workshop: Archaeological finds and field documentation
processing
Day 13 Field work Workshop: Processing Photogrammetry Data in 3DM
Analyst and Agisoft Photoscan
Day 14 Field work Lecture: Religious Beliefs in Stobi
Workshop: Archaeological finds and field
documentation processing
Day 15 Excursion: Optional Guided visit to Pella and Vergina in Greece – Not Included in the
participation fee. The price varies, depending on the number of the students between 40-60
Euros.
Day 16 Day off
Day 17 Field Work Workshop: Archaeological finds and field documentation
processing
Day 18 Field work Workshop: Archaeological finds and field documentation
processing
Day 19 Field work Lecture: Architecture and Urban Development in Stobi
Workshop: Archaeological finds and field documentation
processing
Day 20 Field work Workshop: Archaeological finds and field documentation
processing
Day 21 Field work Workshop: Archaeological finds and field
documentation processing
Day 22 Excursion: Guided visit of Skopje
Day 23 Day off
Day 24 Field work Lecture: Cemeteries and Burial Practice in Stobi
Workshop: Archaeological finds and field documentation
processing
Day 25 Field work Exam
Workshop: Archaeological finds and field documentation
processing
Day 26 Field work Workshop: Archaeological finds and field documentation
processing
Day 26 Field work Workshop: Archaeological finds and field documentation
processing
Day 27 Field work - Presentation of the Excavation’s results.
- Evaluation meeting and Conclusion
Dinner and farewell party
Day 28 Departure
5|P a g eTypical work day
6.00 - 6.30 - Breakfast
6.40 - 13.00 - Field-training at the excavation site
13.30 - 17.00 - Lunch and siesta
17.00 - 19.00 - Lectures and workshops
20.00 - 21.00 - Dinner
In case of rainy days, lectures and lab work will be performed.
GRADING MATRIX
Students will be graded based on their work as follows.
% of Grade Activity
20 % Exam
10 % Excavating (use of tools, digging, scraping, brushing, cleaning, etc.)
20 % Keeping a field journal and filling in locus sheet and labels
10 % Scale drawing (ground plan/ cross section/ specific archaeological structure or feature);
Measuring and leveling
10 % Photography, Photogrammetry and Surveying
10 % Finds processing: washing and sorting, labeling and registration
10 % Artifact drawing (pottery)
10 % Presentation of the field work results
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The required minimum attendance for the successful completion of this field school is 85% of the
course hours. Any significant tardy or early departure from an activity will be calculated as an
absence from the activity. An acceptable number of absences for which a medical or reasonable
excuse is provided will not be taken into account if the student catches up on the field school study
plan through additional readings or personal consultations and tutorials with program staff
members.
PREREQUISITES
None. This is hands-on, experiential learning and students will study on-site how to conduct
archaeological research. Archaeology involves physical work and exposure to the elements and thus
requires a measure of understanding that this will not be the typical university learning
environment. You will have to work outdoors and will get sweaty and tired. Students are required
to come equipped with sufficient excitement and adequate understanding that archaeology requires
real, hard work, in the sun and wind, on your feet, and with your trowel. The work requires patience,
discipline, and attention to detail.
The Stobi Excavation Project will host students and professionals from across the world. With such
an international team, it is vital that all students respect the IFR Student Code of Conduct, each
other’s cultures, and local social and cultural laws and rules.
EQUIPMENT LIST
Work shoes (preferably closed toe shoes)
An additional set of walking and hiking shoes
Clothing suitable for outdoor activities (consider weather conditions from hot and sunny to rainy
and chilly)
Wide brim hat for field work
A light raincoat for possible rainy and windy days
6|P a g e Medication - It is not necessary to bring over-the-counter medicine from your country since you
can buy most types in Macedonia (e.g. aspirin, anti-insecticides, sunscreen, etc). It is
recommended, however, that you bring any individual prescription medicines
A converter for an EU type electricity wall-plug if needed
A good attitude for work, fun, study, and discoveries
ACCOMMODATION
Participants stay at the recently renovated, air-conditioned cabins at the archaeological base camp
next to the ancient site of Stobi. Students will be housed in rooms with 2-3 beds each. Each cabin
has 4 bedrooms, a living room, and 2 bathrooms with showers. A washing machine and Wi-Fi are
available for free.
The closest village to Stobi is Gradsko (5 km), where there are grocery stores, a pharmacy, an ATM,
and medical facilities. The closest big supermarket, drug-stores, pharmacies, banks with ATM and
hospitals are in the city of Negotino (13 Km from Stobi).
Meals: Three meals (fresh, homemade food) per day are covered by your tuition. Meals usually take
place at the field house premises, except for lunch packages during excursions. This field school can
accommodate vegetarians, vegans and individuals with lactose-intolerance diets. Kosher and gluten-
free diets are impossible to accommodate at this location.
TRAVEL & MEETING POINT
Hold purchasing your airline ticket until six (6) weeks prior to departure date. Natural disasters,
political changes, weather conditions and a range of other factors may require the cancelation of a
field school. The IFR typically takes a close look at local conditions 6-7 weeks prior to program
beginning and make Go/No Go decisions by then. This time frame still allows the purchase of
discounted airline tickets while protecting students from potential loss of airline ticket costs if we
decide to cancel a program.
Students will be met by staff members at the Skopje International Airport (SKP) on June 23 at 5:00
pm. The meeting point is at the arrival area of the airport. Please look for staff members holding up
the “Balkan Heritage” sign. Students will be transferred by shuttle service from the airport to the
field house. The trip takes approximately 1.5 hours, but that time highly depends on traffic. The
price of the pickup is not included in the participation fee. It varies between 25 – 50 Euros,
depending on the number of students sharing the taxi. It is recommended that students
exchange/withdraw some Macedonian denars, buy a bottle of water, and visit the restroom before
the trip.
If you missed your connection or your flight was delayed/canceled, call, text or email the project
staff (email: bhfsadmissions@gmail.com). Local contact information will be provided to enrolled
students
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Citizens of EU, EEA, USA, Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand do not need a
visa to visit Macedonia for up to 90 days. Citizens of all other countries may need a visa. The Balkan
Heritage Foundation can send an official invitation letter that should be used at the relevant
embassy to secure a visa to the program.
For more information about border crossing visit the Balkan Heritage Foundation web site.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Safety and health orientation will take place at the beginning of the program. Cities around Stobi
offer good medical facilities, first aid, and pharmacies. Proper personal hygiene and resting after a
hard day of field work are good prevention methods against the summer flu.
7|P a g ePRACTICAL INFORMATION
Macedonian dialing code: +389
Time Difference (Summer time): UTC/GMT +1 hours (April through September)
Measure units: degree Celsius (ºC), meter (m.), gram (gr.), liter (l)
Money/Banks/Credit Cards: The Macedonian currency is the Macedonian DENAR (MKD). You
cannot pay in Euros or other foreign currency except in casinos and big hotels (where the exchange
rate is really low)!
Macedonian banks accept all credit cards and travelers’ cheques. Usually banks are open from 8.00
a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 8.00 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
Shopping malls, supermarkets and many shops in the bigger towns and resorts will also accept credit
cards. For most small shops throughout the country, the only way of payment is cash. Exchange of
foreign currencies is possible not only at banks but also at numerous exchange offices. Most do not
collect commission fees and have acceptable exchange rates (+/- 0.5-1.5% of the official rate).
ATMs are available all over the country and are a safe way to get Macedonian Denars.
You can see Macedonian notes and coins in circulation at:
www.nbrm.mk/?ItemID=C2B15406ABC3BC46B2525F66092FB01D
If you plan to use your credit/debit card in Macedonia, please inform your bank of your intention
before departure. Otherwise, it is likely that your bank will block your account/card for security
reasons. Unblocking your card, when abroad, may cost you several phone calls and a lot of money.
Electricity
The electricity in Macedonia is 220 - Volts A.C. (50 Hertz). Don’t forget to bring a voltage converter, if
necessary!
Outlets in Macedonia generally accept 1 type of plug: two round pins. If your appliances
plug has a different shape, you will need a plug adapter.
Emergency
National emergency number is 112
Police: 192
Fire brigade: 193
Ambulance: 194
Road assistance: 196
REQUIRED READINGS
Some of the required readings will be posted on the field school website. Enrolled students will have
access to and be able to download PDFs upon completion of payment.
Anderson - Stojanovic, V. R. Stobi. The Hellenistic and Roman Pottery, Princeton University Press,
1992, p. 1-61; 144 – 155.
Anderson-Stojanović V. R. Computer-assisted analysis of pottery at Stobi, Yugoslavia. Journal of field
archaeology (2013), p. 335-348.
Collet, L. An Introduction to Drawing Archaeological Pottery. Rotherham, Yorkshire, 2008, p. 5-31
8|P a g eGrant J., S. Gorin and N. Fleming. The Archaeology Coursebook: an introduction to themes, sites,
methods and skills. Routledge. 2008, p. 25-51; 81 – 192; 93-100; 114 – 119; 277 -281.
Wilkes, J. The Archaeology of War: Homeland Security in the South-West Balkans (3rd–6th c.
AD). War and Warfare in Late Antiquity (2 vols.). Brill, 2013. 733-757.
Wiseman, J. R., D. Mano-Zissi. Stobi: A City of Ancient Macedonia, Journal of Field Archaeology, 3,
1976, 269-302.
RECOMMENDED READINGS
Arnold, H., M. Jones. The Later Roman Empire, 284-602: A Social, Economic, and Administrative
Survey, Vol. 1 and 2. (The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1986).
Boardman, J., et al. (ed.). The Oxford History of the Classical World. (Oxford & New York, 1986).
Boev B., et al. Mineralogical investigation of the Old Episcopal Basilica in the archeological locality of
Stobi." Geologica Macedonica 30.1 (2016), p. 3-33.
Brown, P. The World of Late Antiquity AD 150-750 (W. W. Norton & Company, 1989).
Burke, H., C. Smith. The Archaeologist’s Field Handbook (Allen & Unwin, 2004)
Cameron, A. The Mediterranean World in Late Antiquity: AD 395-600 (Routledge, 1993).
Cary, M., H. H. Scullard. A History of Rome: Down to the Reign of Constantine (Bedford/St. Martin's,
1976).
Drewett, P. L. Field Archaeology: An Introduction (University College London, 1999)
Errington, R. M. A History of the Hellenistic World: 323-30 BC (Wiley-Blackwell, 2008)
Harris, E. Principles of Archaeological Stratigraphy (London & New York: Academic Press, 1989)
Available in Internet - http://www.harrismatrix.com/
Hemans, C. J. Late Antique Wall Painting from Stobi, Yugoslavia (Diss. Bloomington, 1987).
Mano-Zissi D., J. Wiseman (Hrsg). Studies in the Antiquities of Stobi (=Proucavanja starina u
Stobima), Beograd 1, 1973; 2, 1975; 3, 1981.
Mikulcik I. Stobi. An ancient city (Skopje 2003)
Nikolova E. Stobi – The West Cemetery, 1995 excavation, Macedonia Acta Archaeologica 18 (Skopje
2008)
Renfrew, C., P. Bahn. Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice (Thames & Hudson, 2008)
Shurbanovska M. at al. Archaeological Excavations – Stobi 2001, Macedonia Acta Archaeologica 18,
(Skopje 2008)
Styliaras G. Towards a web-based archaeological excavation platform for smartphones: review and
potentials. SpringerPlus 4.1 (2015): 1.
https://springerplus.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40064-015-1115-3
Wiseman J. Stobi in Yugoslavian Macedonia: Archaeological Excavations and Research, 1977–
78." Journal of Field Archaeology 5.4 (1978): 391- 429.
9|P a g eYou can also read
